Verification Of The Integrity Of A Train Of Vehicles

ABSTRACT

A device for the verification of the integrity of a train of vehicles. In order to verify the integrity reliably and with little complexity, the device has a first communication device and is configured to transport the first communication device autonomously to a designated end of the train of vehicles.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the verification of the integrity of a train of vehicles, comprising a first communication device which is mountable on a designated end of the train of vehicles, wherein the first communication device is designed to determine, with a second communication device provided at an end opposite to the designated end, the integrity of the train of vehicles. In order to determine the integrity, the devices must communicate suitably.

Apparatuses for verifying the integrity of a train of vehicles, for example a railway train, a heavy goods vehicle with at least one trailer or a push tow with a pusher boat and at least one barge, are generally known. In known apparatuses, the communication devices are manually mounted on the opposite ends of the train of vehicles. For example, one of the communication devices is provided in a locomotive of a train. The other of the communication devices is then often manually mounted on the last element, for example a hitched carriage, of the train of vehicles. If, however, further elements are later hitched onto this supposedly last element, then the train integrity can no longer be tested with the apparatus, at least for this further element, unless the further communication device is manually displaced again. With known apparatuses, ensuring the integrity is thus not possible or only with a high level of complexity.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for verifying of the integrity of a train of vehicles, with which the integrity can be monitored safely and easily and with the least possible personnel involvement.

For the aforementioned apparatus, the object is achieved in that the apparatus is configured to transport the first communication device independently to the designated end of the train of vehicles. The end designated for the first communication device can be the end opposite to the other end of the train of vehicles at which the second communication device is arranged. The apparatus can also comprise the second communication apparatus or can be configured as a retrofit kit with only the first communication apparatus or with both communication apparatuses.

In that the first communication device is transported independently, that is without manual transportation or even entirely automatically, to the designated end of the train of vehicles, the personnel involvement for mounting the communication devices is reduced.

The inventive solution can be further improved by means of different embodiments, each per se advantageous and, provided not otherwise stated, freely combinable with one another. These embodiments and the advantages associated with them will now be considered.

The first end can thus be the rear end in the direction of travel of the train of vehicles. For example, the designated end can lie opposed to an end of the train of vehicles which has a driving vehicle.

If the train of vehicles is a railway train, the driving vehicle can be a power unit and, for example, a locomotive.

Alternatively, the driving vehicle can be a traction machine, for example, a truck tractor or a towing boat.

In particular if the designated end is the rear end of the train of vehicles, the independent transportation of the first communication device to the designated end can ensure that the first communication device is not inadvertently mounted on a part of the train of vehicles which is not the last element of the train of vehicles.

The apparatus can be configured to transport the first communication device independently at least from the end opposing the designated end to the designated end. It can thus suffice to equip an element, for example the driving vehicle, of the train of vehicles with the two communication devices. Once the train of vehicles is assembled, the first communication device can be transported independently by the apparatus to the opposite end.

For example, the first communication device can be transported toward the designated end until it has reached the designated end. The first communication device has reached the designated end when the train of vehicles has no further elements in the direction away from the end opposite to the designated end.

If elements are subsequently added to the train of vehicles, then the apparatus can be configured to transport the first communication device independently further away from the end opposite the designated end in the direction toward the now designated end. It is thus ensured that the first communication device is always mounted at the actual designated end of the train of vehicles, even if further elements are subsequently added to the train of vehicles at the designated end.

Elements of the train of vehicles can be carriages or wagons of a train, trailer and, for example, a semitrailer or a barge.

For example, the first communication device can be configured to overcome at least the distance between the ends of the train of vehicles independently. A separate device for transporting the first communication device is therefore not necessary.

The apparatus can comprise a fastening device for repeated releasable fastening of the first communication device to the designated end and can be configured to actuate the fastening device independently. In order to fasten the first communication device to the designated end, therefore, no personnel is necessary.

In particular, the fastening device can be configured to fasten the first communication device to the element of the train of vehicles which forms the designated end. It is herein not necessarily required that the fastening device fastens the first communication device to a free end of the train of vehicles. Rather, it can also be possible that the fastening device fastens the first communication device to another portion of the element forming the designated end of the train of vehicles.

The first communication device can comprise the fastening device and/or can be configured to actuate the fastening device independently. For example, a fastening device can be provided on each of the elements of the train of vehicles and the first communication device can actuate the fastening device independently when the first communication device has reached the fastening device. If the first communication device comprises the fastening device and if the fastening device is, for example, an integral component of the first communication device, then the first communication device can actuate the fastening device so that the fastening device provides a support on the element of the train of vehicles forming the designated end.

The apparatus can comprise a transport device for independently transporting the first communication device. A separate transport device therefore does not need to be provided, so that the apparatus can be used easily and without preparation.

The transport device can be part of the first communication device, so that the first communication device can move independently between the ends of the train of vehicles without difficulty.

The transport device can be configured as an independently moving vehicle, an independently flying aircraft and/or as an independently moving walking machine. For example, the transport device is a drone which can carry or comprises the first communication device. The independently moving vehicle can be a rail-bound vehicle or a vehicle moving independently of rails which can travel, for example, over a route, for example, a roadway or the track bed. As an independently moving vehicle, the transport device can also be designed to travel on water. The transport device can thus be a water vehicle which transports the first communication device. The independently moving walking machine can also be designated a walking robot which can walk back and forth over the route or over the train of vehicles between the ends thereof.

The communication device can have a sensor device which is designed to recognize further elements and, for example, driving vehicles, carriages or barges at a supposedly designated end of the train of vehicles. The sensor device can be an optical sensor device and can comprise, for example, a laser and a laser sensor and/or a camera. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device can comprise magnetic, mechanical and pneumatic sensors, wherein magnetic sensors can also function without mechanical contact with any following elements of the train of vehicles. Thus, the integrity of the train of vehicles can be reliably monitored including after or during maneuvering procedures in which the train of vehicles is assembled.

The invention will now be described by way of example on the basis of embodiments relating to the drawings. The different features of the embodiments can be combined independently of one another, as already shown with the individual advantageous embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 shows different exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 shows a further schematic representation of the exemplary embodiment of one of the FIGS. 1 to 3.

Firstly, the structure and function of an apparatus according to the invention for the verification of the integrity of a train of vehicles is described making reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 1 for the verification of the integrity of a train of vehicles with a train of vehicles 2 shown, by way of example, as a railway train. The train of vehicles 2 has a first end 3 and a second end 4 arranged opposite to the first end 3. The second end 4 is provided with a driving vehicle 5, shown by way of example as a locomotive. The apparatus 1 is represented with a first communication device 6 and a second communication device 7. The communication devices 6, 7 are configured to communicate with one another. For example, the communication devices 6, 7 communicate wirelessly, that is for example, via radio and/or by means of light or sound.

The second communication device 7 can be arranged on the driving vehicle 5 of the second end 4 of the train of vehicles 2. For example, the second communication device 7 is fastened to the second end 4 or is even an integral component of the second end 4, for example, of the driving vehicle 5. The first communication device 6 can be mounted non-permanently on the second end 4 of the train of vehicles 2.

In order to be able to monitor the integrity of the train of vehicles 2, the apparatus 1 is configured to transport the first communication device 6 independently to the first end 3, which is designated for the first communication device 6, of the train of vehicles 2. The transportation of the communication device 6 to the first end 3 can entail the first communication device 6 being transported from the second end 4 to the first end 3. Alternatively, the communication device 6 can also be transported to the first end 3 from a site other than from the second end 4. Thus the first communication device 6 can be transported from an element 8 of the train of vehicles 2 following the second end 4 in the direction toward the first end 3, to the first end 3. The first end 3 can thereby comprise a further element 8 of the train of vehicles 2 or can be formed thereby. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus 1 can be configured to transport the first communication device 6 from another location that is, for example spaced from the train of vehicles, to the first end 3. In particular, the apparatus 1 is configured to transport the first communication device 6 to a new first end 3 of the train of vehicles 2 if a further element 8 is hitched to the previous first end 3 of the train of vehicles 2.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the elements 8 are represented as wagons of a railway train.

FIG. 2 shows schematically a further exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 1. For elements which correspond in function and/or structure to elements of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the same reference signs are used. For the sake of brevity, merely the differences from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 are considered below.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the first communication device 6 is part of a transport device 9 which transports the communication device 6 to the second end of 4 of the train of vehicles 2. The transport device 9 is configured, for example, as an aircraft and, in particular, as a drone. Alternatively, the first communication device 6 and the transport device 9 can also be configured separately from one another wherein the transport device 9 is configured to transport the first communication device 6.

FIG. 3 shows schematically a further exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus 1. For elements which correspond in function and/or structure to elements of the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 2, the same reference signs are used. For the sake of brevity, merely the differences from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 are considered below.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the transport device 9 of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 is configured as a walking machine and, in particular, as a walking robot which walks on the upper side of the train of vehicles 2 to the first end 3. The walking machine can have at least two and, for example, four, six, eight or more walking extremities. Alternatively, the transport device 9 of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 can also walk beside the train of vehicles 2 or beside a route for the train of vehicles 2 to the first end 3 of the train of vehicles 2 or can be configured as a vehicle.

FIG. 4 shows optionally, one of the previous exemplary embodiments, schematically.

In FIG. 4, the first communication device 6 is arranged on the last element 8 of the train of vehicles 2. The last element 8 of the train of vehicles 2 forms the first end 3 of the train of vehicles 2. In particular, the first communication device 6 is shown arranged on the free end of the train of vehicles 2. The first communication device 6 can comprise a sensor device 10 which recognizes a further element which is hitched to the train of vehicles 2. If a further element is recognized, then the previous first, and designated for the communication device 6, end 3 is no longer the current first, and designated for the first communication device 6, end 3 of the train of vehicles 2. Consequently, the transport device 9 which can be connected in a signal transmitting manner to the first communication device 6 can, by means of a sensor signal of the sensor device 10, which signal is representative of a further element on the train of vehicles 2, transport the first communication device 6 to the new first end 3.

The elements 8, the first communication device 6 and/or the transport device 9 can comprise at least one fastening device for fastening the first communication device 6 to the element 8 which forms the first end 3.

If the first communication device 6 is arranged on the first end 3 of the train of vehicles 2 and if the second communication device 7 is arranged on the second end 4, located opposite to the first end 3 of the train of vehicles 2, then the communication devices 6, 7 can be configured, despite the distance between the communication devices 6, 7, to communicate with one another. If the distance between the communication devices 6, 7 changes, this can be recognized by one of the communication devices 6, 7 or by an evaluation unit which can be provided, for example, in the driving vehicle 5. For example, a decrease in the strength of a communication signal exchanged between the communication devices 6, 7 can decrease with an increasing distance between the communication devices 6, 7. The decreasing signal strength represents a loss of the integrity of the train of vehicles 2, since the increasing distance between the communication devices 6, 7 could be triggered by a breaking of the train of vehicles 2. For example, the train of vehicles 2 can break apart if an element 8 of the train of vehicles 2 and for example a carriage of the train of vehicles 2 loses the coupling to an element 8 traveling ahead of it.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail based on preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the examples given and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the protective scope of the invention. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. An apparatus for verifying an integrity of a train of vehicles, the apparatus comprising: a first communication device to be mounted at a designated end of the train of vehicles, said first communication device being configured to communicate with a second communication device disposed at an opposite end of the train of vehicles opposite the designated end if the integrity exists; and the apparatus being configured to transport said first communication device independently to the designated end of the train of vehicles.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the designated end is located opposite to an end of the train of vehicles that has a driving vehicle.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the device is configured to transport the first communication device independently at least from the opposite end of the train of vehicles to the designated end of the train of vehicles.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first communication device is configured to independently overcome a distance between the opposite end and the designated end of the train of vehicles.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 11, which comprises a fastening device configured for a repeated releasable fastening of said first communication device at the designated end and configured to actuate said fastening device independently.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said fastening device is a part of said first communication device and/or said communication device is configured to actuate said fastening device independently.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 11, which comprises a transport device for independently transporting said first communication device.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said transport device is a part of said first communication device.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said transport device is a device selected from the group consisting of an independently moving vehicle, an independently flying aircraft and an independently moving walking machine.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first communication device comprises a sensor device configured to recognize further elements on a supposed end of the train of vehicles. 